Debates of April 23rd, 1998

Supply

[Roy H. Bailey, Reform, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

Mr. Speaker, it has been a bad day. It is beautiful outside but not so great inside. I do not want to get down to anything but cold, hard facts. Let us look at reality.

The case is prevalent all across Canada. It does not miss anybody's constituency. I wonder how the hon. member would respond to a cold, hard situation. Here we have two people in the same town both given blood transfusions in the same year. One person contracted hepatitis C and the other has HIV. One will be compensated and the other will not. All through the same blood. All through the same causes.

How can members opposite possibly say to the people of Canada that this one is this way and that one is that way? This is a problem for the people over there. They are not dealing with realities. They come in here with a canned speech and read it off. They stay to the party line. They are not thinking with their hearts. Their hearts do not tell them to snub this person living on this side of the street and that another person will get compensation. They do not have an answer to that question. I have been listening to them for four days on this issue and they have not answered that question.

Could the hon. member deal with absolute reality and tell me how he would deal with a situation like this one?

[Jacques Saada, Liberal, Brossard—La Prairie, QC]

Mr. Speaker, I think there are two issues to consider here. One has to do with the responsibility of the government—

[Roy H. Bailey, Reform, Souris—Moose Mountain, SK]

They both have.

[Jacques Saada, Liberal, Brossard—La Prairie, QC]

I would like to have a chance to answer. One has to do with the responsibility of the government with regard to what could have been done and was not done. One has to do with a much broader issue, the no fault issue.

On the first part, time and again not only the Minister of Health but many of my colleagues have explained the reasons the ministers of health throughout the country agreed to limit the period from 1986 to 1990. However, in terms of no fault, I refer my colleague to the Krever report on page 1044.

I will read it because I think it is being interpreted in a very dubious way. The Krever report is simply saying, as it states on page 1044:

I recommend the creation of a no-fault scheme for blood-related injury.

Then a bit further on it states:

The provinces and territories of Canada (not the federal government) should devise statutory no-fault schemes that compensate all blood-injured persons promptly and adequately—

The debate we are having here concerns a no fault philosophy that ought to be debated first and foremost, if we follow Krever, at the provincial and territorial levels.

[Grant McNally, Reform, Dewdney—Alouette, BC]

Mr. Speaker, it is a sad day that we have this debate in the House today because of the decision of the Minister of Health and the fact that he has created two tiers of victims in the country.

I would like the hon. member to perhaps turn the page to 1045 in the Krever report and read this statement:

Until now, our treatment of the blood-injured has been unequal—. Compensating some needy sufferers and not others cannot, in my opinion, be justified.

I wonder how the members of the government can stand in their places today and argue the fact that there should be two tiers of victims: those who are compensated and those who are not. It is shameful. I know there are several hepatitis C victims watching this debate today.

Let us just do a quick summary of what we have heard so far today. We have heard from members on the government side canned speeches from the minister's department and misdirection. They will not deal with the fundamental issue or question of the motion being put that there should be compensation for all victims of hepatitis C.

This is a non-partisan issue. All members of the opposition parties—colleagues in the Conservative Party, the Bloc Party, the NDP and the Reform Party—are in unison when they say to the government that it is wrong. Canadians know. The government knows it is wrong on this issue. In fact there is nothing wrong with being wrong if one does something about it. If a person admits a mistake and moves on people have honour and respect for that. If a person stonewalls and says there is no problem, deflects and will not stand in league, the people of this country have no respect for that.

I would like to focus on the human tragedy that this has become and I would like to focus on some of my constituents who have taken the time to write letters. There are heart rending stories of individuals who have been affected by this tragedy and they have asked me to share their comments here in the House, that the government would listen to their stories, that the government would have compassion and hear what has happened to them by no fault of their own.

One of my constituents, Mrs. Laura Stoll from Maple Ridge, B.C., writes:

I am pleased to hear that [the health minister] supports compensation for victims of hepatitis C. The Krever commission calls for compensation, in which I fully agree. I would like to inform you how HCV has affected me.

In 1983 due to a motor vehicle accident I received a blood transfusion and in January 1996 was diagnosed with HCV. Needless to say, it was a dreadful shock.

I now have much bruising on legs and arms, blood vessels rupturing and leaving black marks and permanent brown marks on my legs. Then also swelling and pain in my legs, other effects are: nausea, dizziness, tinnitis and fatigue.

It is hard to have to read this letter and to share the pain this individual in my riding has had to suffer. She concludes by saying please bring about just compensation. She was initially thankful to the Minister of Health because compensation was coming forward and she thought there would be compensation for all victims.

She wrote me again on April 15 when she found out the truth of the matter:

I was greatly disturbed by the decision made by the health ministers to only compensate the HCV victims who received blood products from 1986 to 1990. These dates mean nothing, they were chosen by lawyers to define a case they would most easily win.

My family and I are counting on you to do the right thing and support compensation for all victims.

That is what I am compelled to do. I must stand in my place and make a compelling case for the victims of hepatitis C from my riding and across this country that this is morally wrong. My colleagues from all parties and I will stand in our places to point out to the government the wrong decision it has made in this case. It is so clear.

Mrs. Joyce Smith from my own home town of Mission B.C. writes:

I am writing on behalf of myself and all the other people in this province and in Canada who are suffering from the effects of tainted blood. I have been working on this letter for many, many days and I realize you may look at the length of this letter and wonder why it is so long. I have tried to downsize it, but because every bit of information I am sharing with you is of the utmost importance, I pray that somehow, in some way, it will help give you insight as to how my life has been dramatically changed. I also hope that it will show you some of the adversities we are dealing with in our everyday lives. There must be changes made to help compensate our ongoing burden of this illness. We are innocent victims of a crime that no one wishes to take responsibility of.

As time went on I did not get any better and the financial pressure was increased as my income had decreased. We started getting behind in our mortgage payments and other financial commitments. We could not pay our mortgage insurance, so now when I die my husband will be left with a mortgage to pay. I was running scared and the stress was unbelievable.

She goes on in detail about the effects of hepatitis C and how it has impacted her life and the life of her family members. She concludes quite bravely:

You may be interested in knowing that through all of this turmoil and with what little energy I have I have set myself some goals. I will: do my part to help as many hep C people as is possible; tell anyone that will listen that I think it is absolutely deplorable the way decisions concerning our lives are kept in secret; stand and shout out loud how inhuman it is for the establishments, the Red Cross, the federal government and the provincial government to not accept their part of the responsibility for what has happened to us; make the most out of every moment of the day; hold my grandchildren just a little bit longer; watch for rainbows; pray and seek forgiveness for those I do not understand.

In closing, I wish to take this opportunity to thank you for your valuable time and understanding in this matter. I would appreciate hearing from you in the very near future. Please keep in mind that my future may not be as long as yours.

I have written to Mrs. Smith. I communicated with her my deep concern for her plight and the lack of action from the government side on this issue. It is quite clear that action can still be taken in this matter, that the government can change its mind and compensate all victims of hepatitis C.

I received another letter that was very disturbing to me. I know the individual who wrote to me. He was a community leader in the area in which I grew up. It was quite shocking to learn that he too had become a victim of hepatitis C. He has not even been able to tell his own family of his plight because of the impact it will have on their lives.

This is a wrong decision. All we are hearing is weak arguments from this government and it is time for the people of Canada to rise up, to call their members of parliament and to say no, we do not support you on this, change your mind and support all victims of hepatitis C.

[Peter Stoffer, NDP, Sackville—Eastern Shore, NS]

Mr. Speaker, you are probably getting tired of my standing up all the time but I wish to commend my hon. colleague from Dewdney—Alouette, all of his constituents and all parties in the House that have received letters like the letter he just read.

I wish him to comment on one statement made by the member for Brossard—La Prairie, that some people with hep C can lead normal lives. Could he comment on that ridiculous, outrageous and cruel statement made by one of the Liberal backbenchers in the House today?

[Grant McNally, Reform, Dewdney—Alouette, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for the question because it is an outrageous statement made by the member opposite, that some people suffering from hepatitis C can go on to live normal lives. Perhaps that is the case but the constituents who have written to me have detailed the anguish, the pain and the common tasks in their lives they used to do without any problem which are now difficult tasks for them, things such as going to the park.

One of my constituents writes that it is difficult to go any distance from home. By the time they get to where they are going for an outing she is too tired. She has to go home and rest. It is unbelievable that members opposite would be so callous, so uncaring, so insensitive to the fact that Canadians are suffering from hepatitis C. They do not have the decency to compensate these victims. They think their lives are fine.

[John Nunziata, Independent, York South—Weston, ON]

Mr. Speaker, as a former Liberal I am terribly and deeply disappointed at the position the government is taking. I was a member of that party for a good number of years. It seems to me that one of the hallmarks of Liberalism, one of the things that has permitted the Liberal Party to remain in office for so long over such an extended period of time is that for so many years it was a party that cared for the disadvantaged in Canada. It was a party that went to bat for innocent victims. It was a party that believed in fairness, equity and compassion.

Now we have a Liberal government. I can tell the Prime Minister and Liberal members opposite that rank and file Liberal members right across the country are phoning and telling me that they are ashamed of being Liberals given the position of the government with respect to this matter.

The mere fact that this government would force innocent victims, some of whom will be gravely ill and others dying, into court in order to receive compensation and some compassion is shameful. I hope the Prime Minister will look into his heart and ask himself how he would react if a member of his family were an innocent victim of the tainted blood system in this country.

The Ireland government has shown the way to compensate innocent victims. It has provided generous compensation for all victims of hepatitis C. How could a small country like Ireland have such a huge heart when a prosperous and large country like Canada can be so heartless when it comes to compensating innocent victims?

[Grant McNally, Reform, Dewdney—Alouette, BC]

Mr. Speaker, I thank my hon. colleague for his comments and his question.

The people of Ireland obviously have heart, compassion and concern for all the victims of this tragedy in their country. It would be my hope, as I know it is the member's, that Canadians would be proud of this government in reversing its decision and showing compassion and heart and showing that it cares for all the victims of this tragedy.

I sincerely hope the government is able to do that.

Racism

[Gurbax Malhi, Liberal, Bramalea—Gore—Malton, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am deeply concerned that British Columbia may be transforming into a racial tinderbox following reports that five members of a group known as White Power have been charged with the killing of Nirmal Singh Gill last January.

It must be noted that this violent slaying remains an isolated incident and in no way reflects mainstream Canadian attitudes toward minorities. The vast majority of Canadians are peaceful and tolerant and are just as shocked and outraged as I am by this terrible killing.

Still I do fear this particular hate crime may only be the thin edge of the wedge.

Therefore I call on my colleagues in the House to support efforts aimed at establishing a monitoring agency in Canada to track hate related incidents.

Bill C-4

[Jake Hoeppner, Reform, Portage—Lisgar, MB]

Mr. Speaker, a Senate committee has travelled to the western provinces to hear the concerns of farmers on Bill C-4.

One farmer stated: “If this bill demonstrates democracy in this country, then we are in deep trouble. At Confederation, would we as Canadians have accepted two-thirds of a say in our destiny?”

Another farmer says that they are scrambling to make ends meet, taking off-farm jobs and juggling crops. They are frustrated that they do not see the wheat board scrambling to do anything other than damage control.

The right to own, use and dispose of private property is one of the key foundations of any democratic society. The wheat board act, as presently constituted, violates this fundamental principle.

Ontario farmers will have an opportunity to export wheat directly into the United States. Denying western farmers the same economic freedoms will only serve to foster a feeling of resentment and division.

Canada Book Day

[Judi Longfield, Liberal, Whitby—Ajax, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to rise today to mark the third annual Canada book day. The brainchild of a well known Canadian author, Lawrence Martin, Canada book day coincides with the UNESCO declared international book day.

Sponsored jointly by the Writers' Development Trust, a national charitable organization dedicated to the advancement and nurturing of Canadian writers and writing, the Department of Canadian Heritage and the private sector, the motto for this year's event is “give one, get one, read one”.

We will be marking Canada Book Day in my riding in a special way. Councils in both Ajax and Whitby have officially declared today as Canada Book Day. I will be presenting a book by a Canadian children's author to every child born in my riding today. As of 1 p.m. I am pleased to report that I have four new constituents and five on the way momentarily.

I encourage all Canadians to visit the official Canada Book Day website to find out about events in their communities. I urge all Canadians to get one, give one, read one.

Human Rights

[Deepak Obhrai, Reform, Calgary East, AB]

Mr. Speaker, this week five white supremacists were arrested for the brutal beating death of Mr. Nirmal Singh, the janitor for a Sikh temple in Surrey.

If the five individuals who were arrested are found guilty, then their punishment should reflect the revulsion Canadians feel about this senseless act.

1998 is the 50th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. While Canada has made tremendous progress during this 50 years, this incident shows that we still have a long way to go in respecting the humanity of our fellow citizens.

I know that the entire House joins with the official opposition in telling the racist groups that their time is over. We will no longer put up with their hatred. We will no longer put up with their violence.

Armenian Monument

[Eleni Bakopanos, Liberal, Ahuntsic, QC]

Mr. Speaker, two years ago this House passed a motion which was presented by the member for Brampton Centre designating the week of April 20 to 27 as the week of remembrance of the inhumanity of people toward one another.

Today I wish to pay tribute to my constituents who are Canadians of Armenian origin and all members of the Montreal Armenian community. I commend them for their uncompromising efforts and tireless work on the erection of a monument which will be inscribed with the following words:

<“We dedicate this monument to all victims of genocide and we urge all citizens to promote tolerance and social harmony. This recognition reflects the spirit of the Declaration of Human Rights”.

I am very proud that the monument will be located in Marcellin-Wilson park, in my riding of Ahuntsic.

Congratulations to my constituents for reminding us all that history should never be repeated. We must never forget this horrific crime against humanity.

World Book Day

[Mauril Bélanger, Liberal, Ottawa—Vanier, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today is world book day. It is an opportunity to remember that all governments must unite their efforts to encourage the spread of knowledge.

On this day, all our governments must reflect on the importance of allocating the necessary resources to help and support those that are directly and indirectly associated with the world of reading.

From large library networks to the neighbourhood library, not to mention school boards and the publishing industry, all are working at promoting access to reading and at developing a love of books among our young people.

April 23 is also an opportunity to stress the importance of copyright, and to think of those who try to make a living from their writings but who, unfortunately, do not reap the benefits of their efforts.

I wish you all a good reading.

Status Of Women

[Paul Steckle, Liberal, Huron—Bruce, ON]

Mr. Speaker, today marks the 70th anniversary of the beginning of one of the most revolutionary legal battles ever to be undertaken. On this day in 1928 the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that women were not persons under the British North America Act. As you can imagine women across the empire were disturbed by this decision and as such they took their fight to the British Privy Council. Today we proudly celebrate the final decision made by that body.

Because of the efforts of individuals such as Senator Emily Murphy, women across the commonwealth were granted the status of persons. As a result, in Canada today men and women enjoy equal societal privileges, protection and status under the law. Despite that, there are still many places in the world that women are treated as second class citizens.

As Canadians we must continue to work to secure positive, civil and legal development in nations that have not yet been liberated by the effects of enhanced personal freedom and true gender equality. Indeed it is our duty to lead by example. Canada is and has always been a world leader in these areas. I am proud to support—

[The Speaker]

The hon. member for Carleton—Gloucester.

[Eugène Bellemare, Liberal, Carleton—Gloucester, ON]

Mr. Speaker, April 23 marks the 70th anniversary of one of the most important decisions made by the Supreme Court of Canada, namely the recognition of women as legal persons.

Prior to that decision, women had practically no rights. They could not acquire property without the signature of a legal entity. We could list many rights that women did not have.

Today, women can give their full measure in every sphere of activity. Let us hope that they will continue to take their place in our society, particularly in third world countries.

Yom Hashoah

[Monte Solberg, Reform, Medicine Hat, AB]

Mr. Speaker, today is Yom Hashoah, the day that Jews and Gentiles pause to remember the horror of the Holocaust.

From 1933 to 1945 six million Jews and millions of other innocent victims were burned in the ovens of Auschwitz and other concentration camps. This unparalleled crime against humanity must never happen again.

There is a Hebrew word that I would ask all members of this House to learn. It is “zachor” and it means to remember. We owe it to the dead to never forget their tragedy and we owe it to the living never to allow the Holocaust to happen again.

On behalf of the official opposition I would like to express my personal commitment to ensure that the world learns from the Holocaust. On this the eve of the 50th anniversary of the modern State of Israel, I promise to zachor.

Mining Hall Of Fame

[Brent St. Denis, Liberal, Algoma—Manitoulin, ON]

Mr. Speaker, I would like today to congratulate the newest inductees into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame located in Elliot Lake in my northern Ontario riding.

This year's inductees are very special as they not only highlight mining's very significant contribution to our economy but its importance to research and development in Canada and the mining industry's success around the globe.

This year's inductees are: Anthony Barringer, whose company was a major centre for mining research and development in Canada; Benjamin Taylor Bell, the founder of the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum; Gerald Hatch, for his enormous contribution to the advancement of metallurgy and leadership in multidisciplinary consulting services; Stephen Ogryzlo, for his mining successes around the world; Murray Pezim, for his discovery of northern Ontario's Hemlo gold camp; and Franklin Pickard, for his leadership and vision in guiding Falconbridge to international prominence.

I call on all members of the House to assist me in congratulating these builders of Canada's world class mining industry. I encourage everyone to come and visit the Mining Hall of Fame in Elliot Lake.

Cancer

[Wendy Lill, NDP, Dartmouth, NS]

Mr. Speaker, every year 60,000 Canadians die of cancer. This month the Canadian Cancer Society hopes to raise $21 million in its fight against the disease.

We can support the society's efforts through donations of time and money but the government can go one step further. It can adopt the Canadian Cancer Society's recommendations to prevent future cases of lung cancer by abandoning its plan to water down the sponsorship provisions of the Tobacco Act, investing in medical research to levels comparable with other industrialized countries and restore its $3.5 billion cut to the health care system.

The government must also investigate environmental links to cancer. The CAW for example has made cancer the number one concern of the workplace environment, a model for the future.

The New Democratic Party congratulates the Canadian Cancer Society for its important work. We will continue our commitment to fight for medical research, quality care and prevention strategies for all Canadians.

Book And Reading Summit

[Madeleine Dalphond-Guiral, Bloc, Laval Centre, QC]

Mr. Speaker, today is World Book and Copyright Day, a day honouring books and authors and set aside to encourage people to discover the pleasure of reading and recognize the contribution writers make to cultural and social advancement.

The book and reading summit, presided over by the premier of Quebec, began yesterday and will conclude at the end of the day today. Following a series of consultations, this summit brings together stakeholders, who are assessing the situation and looking at ways to develop a policy on reading appropriate to Quebec society.

With the sacrosanct civilization of the image standardizing thinking, Quebeckers must redevelop their taste for reading. Reading is the route to knowledge, communication, thought and pleasure. It is a source of great delight.

In closing, I would like to congratulate Bruno Hébert, who was awarded the Association des libraires prize yesterday for his novel

C'est pas moi je le jure!

Bloc Quebecois

[Raymonde Folco, Liberal, Laval West, QC]

Mr. Speaker, for the past few days now, the members of the Bloc Quebecois have been carrying cheques around Quebec signed by Louise Beaudoin, a minister in Lucien Bouchard's government.

We have learned that the member for Louis-Hébert presented a fine cheque for $5,000 on behalf of the Government of Quebec to the management of the Salle Diane-Bélanger in Sillery, a Liberal riding provincially.

The member for Beauharnois—Salaberry is also carrying around cheques from the Government of Quebec. He apparently gave a helping hand to two municipalities in his riding with funds from Ms. Beaudoin's budget.

The Bloc Quebecois is behaving with an indecency rarely seen in this House, so much so that Ms. Beaudoin was obliged to make a public apology for this behaviour. We are still awaiting denunciation by the leader of the Bloc Quebecois.

Granby Zoo

[Diane St-Jacques, Progressive Conservative, Shefford, QC]

Mr. Speaker, with each spring comes the urge to clean up, but this chore can actually be fun when it takes place in the Granby zoo, in my riding.

On this occasion, the community is invited to lend a hand to the staff to clean up and prepare the zoo to welcome the thousands of visitors who will come through its gates this summer. The Granby zoo is not only a local pride and joy, but a tourist attraction renowned across North America.

Thanks to the involvement of the management and staff of the zoo as well as the whole community, this year will be the 10th year we hold, with great pride, this community spring cleaning event at the Granby zoo.

National Volunteer Week

[Christiane Gagnon, Bloc, Québec, QC]

Mr. Speaker, on the occasion of national volunteer week, whose theme this year is “I feel like taking action, I volunteer”, I salute the tireless work and sustained involvement of more than 1,000 community organizations in my riding alone and several thousands in society at large.

At the community, cultural and recreation levels, these organizations do a great deal to improve our quality of life.

I would like to pay tribute to the work and dedication of these men and women who devote their energy and dynamism to serving their community. They make an invaluable contribution to our society. Our thanks to them.